I love this quote! “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein
How else is life like a bicycle?
DESTINATION — What are your goals? Do you have only one goal you are focused on at the exclusion of all others; a sprint to the finish line? Or are you seeking a more leisurely ride, with steady progress being made on major goals, and with time allowed for side trips?
BALANCE – If your life is lopsided you will fall over, just as you would on a bike if you tried to ride it while holding an elephant in one arm. Are you working too much? Not enough? Spending time with your family? Taking care of your health and well being? Enjoying your favorite projects or hobbies?
CONSISTENCY – The only way you can reach your goal on a bike is one pedal stroke at a time. Yes, you can coast for a little ways — and you should take breaks now and then to conserve your strength — but then you must resume pedaling. This goes for everything worth doing –earning your degree by taking one class at a time; losing weight at a healthy rate of 1-2 pounds a week; keeping your home or office organized by decluttering 15 minutes a day.
MOMENTUM – In life, any number of things can throw us off track; travel, illness, a change in schedule at work or at home, etc. But the trick is to get back on track as soon as possible….and without beating yourself up about it. Are you the type who, when they hit a speed bump, or take a tumble, gives up altogether? Or do you get back on the bike and keep on riding? Beating yourself up is the worst thing you can possibly do! It just prolongs the amount of time you remain off track, no? The sooner you can give yourself a break and get back on the bike, the better. The bike doesn’t care who you blame, or what you say to yourself about it, it just requires that you keep on pedaling.
FREEDOM – What is freer than an egret taking flight? Rising above the clutter and stress of life? (Ala the Organized For Life logo!) For me the physical activity that most gives me the feeling of freedom is riding my bike along a country road in summertime, with the sights and sounds of nature, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the breeze on my face and limbs. What activity makes you feel free? Do it more often!
Related post: Getting Back on Track
Copyright 2011 by Hazel Thornton, Organized For Life.
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Tags: balance, consistency, focus, freedom, getting back on track, goals, momentum, priorities, time
August 5, 2011 at 2:16 pm |
I have never mastered the skill of riding a bike myself, but I love the way you’ve compared it to managing the demands of life!
August 5, 2011 at 5:26 pm |
Thanks, Janet! Do you have something similar, that makes you feel free? (Besides organizing, that is.)
August 6, 2011 at 11:00 am
I love to walk, whether I’m going somewhere, spending time with my sister or a friend, or listening to a podcast or recorded teleclass on my iPhone. It’s one activity that really benefits me both physically and mentally, and gets me away from my computer for a while.
August 6, 2011 at 5:49 pm |
Love this analogy… and just like with biking when you are prepared for the ride, life can be ever so much more pleasant, whether enjoying a solo ride or in a group venue.
August 9, 2011 at 12:01 pm |
Loved the analogy of trying to ride with an elephant under one arm. Will remember that when I next feel too weighed down and unbalanced. Thanks
August 17, 2011 at 7:59 am |
Love how you look at each area specifically…I have some great visuals!